"If thou art pleased, my lord the Cid, in guise to go are we. Bid them bring to us our horses; we will mount speedily. Since I was first Count, never have I dined with will so glad, Nor shall it be forgotten what joy therein I had." They gave to them three palfreys. Each had a noble selle. Good robes of fur they gave them, and mantles fair as well. Count don Remónd rode onward with a knight on either side. To the camp's end the Castilian along with them did ride. "Ha! Count, forth thou departest to freedom fair and frank; For what thou hast left with me I have thee now to thank. If desire to avenge it is present to thy mind, Send unto me beforehand when thou comest me to find. Either that thou wilt leave thy goods or part of mine wilt seize." "Ha! my lord Cid, thou art secure, be wholly at thine ease. Enough have I paid to thee till all this year be gone. As for coming out to find thee, I will not think thereon." LXIII. The Count of Barcelona spurred forth. Good speed he made. Turning his head he looked at them, for he was much afraid Lest my lord the Cid repent him; the which the gallant Cid Would not have done for all the world. Base deed he never did. The Count is gone. He of Bivár has turned him back again; He began to be right merry, and he mingled with his train. Most great and wondrous was the spoil that they had won in war, So rich were his companions that they knew not what they bore. CANTAR II THE MARRIAGE OF THE CID'S DAUGHTERS LXIV. Here of my lord Cid of Bivár begins anew the Song. Within the pass of Alucát my lord Cid made him strong, He has left Zaragoza and the lands that near it lie, And all the coasts of Montalban and Huésca he passed by, And unto the salt ocean he began the way to force. In the East the sun arises; thither he turned his course. On Jérica and Almenár and Onda he laid hand, Round about Bórriana he conquered all the land. LXV. God helped him, the Creator in Heaven that doth dwell Beside these Murviédro hath the Cid ta'en as well. Then that the Lord was on his side, the Cid beheld it clear. In the city of Valencia arose no little fear. LXVI. It irked them in Valencia. It gave them no delight, Be it known; that to surround him they planned. They marched by night They pulled up at Murviédro to camp as morning broke. My lord the Cid beheld it and wondering much he spoke: "Father in Heaven, mighty thanks must I now proffer Thee. In their lands we dwell and do them every sort of injury; And we have drunk their liquor, of their bread our meal we make. If they come forth to surround us, justly they undertake. Without a fight this matter will in no way be a-paid. Let messengers go seek them who now should bear us aid; Let them go to them in Jérica and Alucát that are And thence to Onda. Likewise let them go to Almenár. Let the men of Bórriana hither at once come in. In this place a pitched battle we shall certainly begin. I trust much will be added to our gain in this essay."